SERVPRO Cares About Your Safety - Generator Safety

2/15/2022 (Permalink)

We are available for cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Winter season is upon us and power outages may follow.  If you have a generator on hand for power outages during severe weather, follow the safety tips below provided by the American Red Cross.

• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawl space, or any partially enclosed area.

• To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use it in wet conditions.  Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as under a tarp held up on poles. Do not touch the generator with wet hands.

• Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide (CO) buildup in the home. Although CO can’t be seen or smelled, it can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately.

• Install CO alarms in central locations on every level of your home or property and outside sleeping areas to provide early
  warnings.

Disaster can strike when you least expect it, be prepared and have a plan in place. If the worst should happen, know that SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”